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Photograph: (Dall E)
SAP India launches a pioneering social procurement initiative to enable social enterprises through integration into corporate value chains. It is a step in the emphasis that SAP places on sustainability as well as consistent with India's overall objectives for its socio-economic development.
According to the World Economic Forum, India has more than 2 million social enterprises, of which nearly 25% are women-led. These range from healthcare and education to agriculture, clean energy, financial inclusion, water, and sanitation sectors, promoting sustainable practices while supporting local entrepreneurship and inclusion. By enabling corporate procurement from social enterprises, SAP is seeking to make a positive impact on communities and the environment while supporting companies in achieving their CSR, diversity, and sustainability goals.
A Transformative Tool for Business and Society
Manish Prasad, President and Managing Director, SAP Indian Subcontinent, stated, “This initiative underscores our commitment to embedding ethical and sustainable practices into business operations. By partnering with social enterprises, we can transform procurement decisions into opportunities that uplift communities, generate employment, and drive equitable growth. Social procurement is a transformative tool to improve people’s lives.”
Aligned with Government Initiatives
SAP’s initiative supports several key Government of India programs, including:
- Government eMarketplace (GeM)
- Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
- Make in India
- Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
Key Focus Areas
- Sustainable and Ethical Manufacturing: SAP will collaborate with impact businesses to prioritize ethical manufacturing and responsible production, supporting the creation of globally sustainable products and services.
- Innovation and Local Entrepreneurship: By partnering with incubators, SAP aims to foster innovation and scale sustainable businesses. Over 100+ social enterprises have already benefited from SAP’s mentorship and resources, driving inclusive growth.
- Empowering Farmers and Creating Jobs: SAP’s initiatives include supporting FPOs to enhance their market readiness, enabling small farmers to access new markets and secure stable incomes.
Launch of Strategic Report
SAP India, in collaboration with Sattva Consulting, unveiled a report titled ‘Social Procurement: Paving the Way for Business Resilience and Sustainability.’ The report emphasizes the need for corporates to deepen their investments in social enterprises, FPOs, and MSMEs to foster resilient and inclusive supply chains.
Srikrishna Sridhar Murthy, CEO and Co-Founder of Sattva, noted, “Social procurement has immense potential to unlock economic value, foster inclusivity, and drive sustainable growth. Effective implementation requires collaboration across departments, infrastructure development, and strategic investments.”
Through these efforts, SAP aims to transform procurement into a vehicle for responsible business and contribute meaningfully to India’s growth agenda.